SEC. 14001. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act´´.
Subtitle A—Paralysis Research
SEC. 14101. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO RESEARCH ON PARALYSIS.
(a) Coordination— The Director of the National Institutes of Health (referred to in this title as the `Director'), pursuant to the general authority of the Director, may develop mechanisms to coordinate the paralysis research and rehabilitation activities of the Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health in order to further advance such activities and avoid duplication of activities.
(b) Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia—
(1) IN GENERAL— The Director may make awards of grants to public or private entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support for consortia in paralysis research. The Director shall designate each consortium funded through such grants as a Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortium. (2) RESEARCH— Each consortium under paragraph (1)— (A) may conduct basic, translational, and clinical paralysis research; (B) may focus on advancing treatments and developing therapies in paralysis research; (C) may focus on one or more forms of paralysis that result from central nervous system trauma or stroke; (D) may facilitate and enhance the dissemination of clinical and scientific findings; and (E) may replicate the findings of consortia members or other researchers for scientific and translational purposes. (3) COORDINATION OF CONSORTIA; REPORTS— The Director may, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among consortia under paragraph (1) and ensure regular communication among members of the consortia, and may require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the consortia and the submission of the reports to the Director. (4) ORGANIZATION OF CONSORTIA— Each consortium under paragraph (1) may use the facilities of a single lead institution, or be formed from several cooperating institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the Director.
(c) Public Input— The Director may provide for a mechanism to educate and disseminate information on the existing and planned programs and research activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to paralysis and through which the Director can receive comments from the public regarding such programs and activities.
Subtitle B—Paralysis Rehabilitation Research and Care
SEC. 14201. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO RESEARCH WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCING DAILY FUNCTION FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS.
(a) In General— The Director, pursuant to the general authority of the Director, may make awards of grants to public or private entities to pay all or part of the costs of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support to multicenter networks of clinical sites that will collaborate to design clinical rehabilitation intervention protocols and measures of outcomes on one or more forms of paralysis that result from central nervous system trauma, disorders, or stroke, or any combination of such conditions.
(b) Research— A multicenter network of clinical sites funded through this section may— (1) focus on areas of key scientific concern, including— (A) improving functional mobility; (B) promoting behavioral adaptation to functional losses, especially to prevent secondary complications; (C) assessing the efficacy and outcomes of medical rehabilitation therapies and practices and assisting technologies; (D) developing improved assistive technology to improve function and independence; and (E) understanding whole body system responses to physical impairments, disabilities, and societal and functional limitations; and (2) replicate the findings of network members or other researchers for scientific and translation purposes.
(c) Coordination of Clinical Trials Networks; Reports— The Director may, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among networks funded through this section and ensure regular communication among members of the networks, and may require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the networks and submission of reports to the Director.
Subtitle C—Improving Quality of Life for Persons With Paralysis and Other Physical Disabilities
SEC. 14301. PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.